At TEKCamp, we pride ourselves on securing a fabulous line up of speakers that represent some of the most knowledgeable experts and explorers in the diving industry. Whatever your interest, TEKCamp offers a packed schedule of talks to inform, challenge and inspire...

At TEKCamp 2014, attendees enjoyed three fascinating talks each and every day - 2 x 30 minute talks at lunchtime and then a full on 60 minute 'keynote' talk in the evening. TEKCamp talks cover a diverse range of subjects ranging from decompression theory and kit configuration to deep wreck discovery and cutting-edge cave exploration. Read on to discover our keynote talks...

Bikini Atoll, the world's premiere wreck dive site is probably number one on any avid wreck divers bucket list. Whether you are recreational or technical, open circuit or closed circuit, diving here is the pinnacle of any wreck divers career.

Paulï¿½s talk on Bikini Atoll is not just a journey through all the wonderful historic wrecks of Bikini but also the
history of Bikini itself and the reason it came to be. Paul will discuss logistics, minimum certification levels, experience and equipment regarding getting to what is probably the remotest ocean diving destination in the world. He will engage you with beautiful images and intriguing stories. Past paradise destroyed ï¿½ present paradise enjoyed!

ABOUT PAUL VINCENT TOOMER

Paul began his training diving career in 1996 and is now at the forefront of technical diver training with DiveRAID - the Rebreather Association of International Divers.

He has dived caves and wrecks all over the world and has safely planned and executed ocean dives to a maximum depth of 150 metres. Paul regularly contributes to the dive press and has worked with film and TV companies as a diver, supplier and advisor. He has given many diving related presentations at leading conferences including LIDS, Eurotek and DEMA.

THE BLUE LAKES PROJECT

Presented by Martin Robson

Renowned cave explorer Martin Robson presents the story of the Blue Lake Project in Russia, diving in one of the largest and deepest karst springs in the world.

Diving deeper than 200m in this the gripping account, soon to be a book, Martin tells of the events behind the expedition to explore one of the largest and deepest karst springs in the world, with all the challenges of deep CCR diving in very cold water and everything that can (and did) go wrong, including his DCS hit and the difficulties of the evacuation and subsequent treatment.

ABOUT MARTIN ROBSON

Martin is one of the UK and world's most experienced instructors and teachs courses from IANTD, TDI, PADI and both NACD & NSS-CDS.

Martin sits on the IANTD Board of Advisors and is also an NACD Safety Officer and a Technical Field Consultant for PADI's range of rebreather programs. Martin specialises in extreme environments and regularly teaches courses such as expedition trimix, ice diving, advanced cave and technical wreck to instructor level in environments from the arctic to the equator.

GUIDED TOUR OF WOOKEY HOLE

Presented by Dr Duncan Price

The highlight of this year's evening events will be an exclusive 'out of hours' tour of the jaw-dropping Wookey Hole Show Caves with CDG diver Dr Duncan Price. Duncan will be taking TEKCamp 2014 attendees on a fascinating history of cave diving in Wookey as we explore these world-class show caves for ourselves. Prepare to be gob-smacked by the breath-taking beauty of these amazing caves - but watch out for the Wookey witch!

Note that the field trip to Wookey Hole caves requires attendees to travel down together to Wookey Hole near Cheddar in their own vehicles. Cost of entry to Wookey Hole is included in the price of your TEKCamp 2014 ticket. Maps will be handed out to ensure that everyone knows where to go!

ABOUT DR DUNCAN PRICE

Duncan Price is the co-author of the award winning book 'Wookey Hole: 75 years of Cave Diving & Exploration' published by the Cave Diving Group in 2010. Duncan took his BSAC Snorkel Diver test in 1982 and started caving a year later whilst at university. The progression into cave diving followed quickly and has involved him in the discovery of new cave passage in the UK, Europe and the USA over the past 25 years.

Duncan took part in the 2004-5 Wookey Hole explorations that established a new British depth record during which he dived to 70m (in a wetsuit!). As well as writing about cave diving in numerous publications, Duncan is also an expert on the 26 different flavours of ice cream for sale at Wookey Hole Caves. When not cave diving or eating ice cream, Duncan pretends to be a Chemical Engineer.

WRECK DIVING IN CROATIA

Presented by Richard Walker

Control of the Adriatic has always been important in history. WW1 and WW2 were no different. The Croatian port of Pula at the northern end of the Adriatic was a coveted safe harbour that allowed control of the northern Adriatic. During both wars, the approaches to Pula were heavily mined, and skilful and careful navigation was required. Unfortunately, this didn?t always work and many ships were lost in the area. A mixture of warships and cargo ships litter the seabed around Pula, resting on their keels, often in two pieces after the destructive effects of the mines.

Croatian wrecks are typically very well preserved - taking artefacts is prohibited and strongly enforced, so the wrecks are frequently still 'well equipped'. Rich will talk about the history of the region and the wrecks, and describe some of the wrecks that are possible to dive. Photos of wrecks with 20m visibility never fail to impress!

ABOUT RICHARD WALKER

Rich is the Technical Training Director for GUE and he also sits on the Training Council and is able to teach all GUE recreational and technical classes up to Tech 2. He is also an instructor evaluator at all recreational levels and to the Tech 1 level.

Rich Walker started diving in 1991 and soon found himself spending all his spare time exploring the shipwrecks off the coast of the UK. Rich is a keen cave diver and enjoys exploring caves both here in the UK and abroad.

TEKCAMP PARTY

Kick back and enjoy the TEKCamp wrap party!

Friday night is party night to mark the end of a full-on, fabulous week of diving at TEKCamp. After a full-on week of diving workshops, try dives and talks, this is your chance to chill out and relax over a beer and BBQ.

Naturally the TEKCamp team will be in attendance, giving you the perfect opportunity to rub shoulders and chat with some of the biggest names in diving. Got a burning question that you're itching to put to our diving gurus, want to chat about further training or perhaps you simply want to know which one of them has the most tattoos? This is your chance to put them on the spot in a less formal setting.

The theme for Friday night is definitely fun so let your hair down and enjoy the 'wrap party' for what promises to be another superb week of diving at TEKCamp.

TEKCAMP PRIZE DRAW

Following on from the success of last year's event, we'll also be giving away some seriously cool prizes to TEKCamp attendees! Every attendee will be automatically entered into the draw so sit back, cross your fingers and hope for the best - you could be one of the lucky winners to walk away with one of our fabulous prizes!

TEKCamp is an award-winning four-day coaching program designed to develop your diving skills, knowledge and confidence beyond recognition under the direct guidance of the industry's leading technical instructors. Run once every two years at Vobster Quay in Somerset, TEKCamp will transform your diving - your skills will be sharper, your confidence will sky-rocket and you'll be a far safer and more competent diver!